By Tim Sullivan

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

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In past years, Michigan’s recruiting classes have seen a flurry of late activity in the days — or hours — before National Signing Day, or even on the day itself.

The 2008 class featured quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who famously strung the process out past Signing Day before selecting Ohio State over Michigan. In 2011, coach Brady Hoke added tight end Chris Barnett halfway through his Signing Day press conference. Even last year, Dennis Norfleet received an offer and committed to the Wolverines just after midnight on Signing Day.

This year, however, Michigan coaches will be breathing easy come the first Wednesday in February. Barring major surprises — which, in fairness, Norfleet’s commitment last year was — the Michigan class should be complete already. The final commitment (and also the highest-rated), five-star running back Derrick Green, has been committed for a week and a half by now.

Michigan’s class as-is ranks sixth nationally, according to Rivals.com, with 27 commitments. Along with Green, high four-star prospects Pittsburgh offensive lineman Pat Kugler, Baltimore defensive tackle Henry Poggi, and Warren De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris are the headliners of the group, but it’s a strong one 1-27. Even the lowest-ranked among the expected signees, two-star Ottawa (Ill.) long-snapper Scott Sypniewski, fills a specific need for Michigan.

Although Michigan may be passed on Signing Day with several last-minute commitments to other programs, the Wolverines’ class is all but guaranteed a spot in the top 10 nationally.

Of course, it wouldn’t be football recruiting without drama and surprises. The only potential drama for Michigan, at least from what is apparent at this time, is negative. Poggi recently visited Alabama, and although he’s expected to sign with Michigan, the visit certainly adds a certain level of discomfort to Wolverine fans’ perception of Signing Day.

The majority of the class has been committed for nearly a year now, since Hoke and his staff made a very early push last February. The U-M coaches have clearly valued early commitments — sometimes at the expense of a slightly better-ranked player — during their tenure in Ann Arbor to date.

If Michigan holds on to Poggi and doesn’t add any surprise recruits at the 11th hour, this will be the least dramatic Signing Day in years for Michigan. That’s just the way Hoke likes it.

Tim Sullivan is the football recruiting editor of The Wolverine magazine and TheWolverine.com. He is also a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the Rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @TimS_Wolverine.